Why You Should Comply With California’s Safe Cosmetics Program
Legal background
Non-compliance with CSCA and CFFIRKA reporting requirements can trigger state enforcement actions, monetary penalties, and sales restrictions that directly impact your California market access.Even if your FDA cosmetic product listing is complete, you could still be non-compliant if you haven’t met California’s separate obligations.
Ingredient transparency and compliance is a major driver of consumer trust:
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- Protects your brand from legal and regulatory risks
- Demonstrates your commitment to safe and transparent cosmetics
- Builds consumer loyalty in a state where ingredient safety awareness is high
- Ensures uninterrupted market access in California
Our services
How Obelis Helps Your Company Meet California CSCA & CFFIRKA Requirements
At Obelis, we offer end-to-end support for California’s Safe Cosmetics Program to ensure your products remain market-ready and fully compliant.
We review your cosmetic formulations to identify reportable ingredients, determine exactly which products require reporting under CSCA and CFFIRKA, and prepare and submit all necessary documentation directly to the California Department of Public Health. By managing the entire process for you, we reduce the administrative burden, ensure accuracy, and help safeguard your brand’s compliance in one of the most regulated cosmetic markets in the U.S.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The California Safe Cosmetics Program is a state initiative under the California Safe Cosmetics Act (CSCA) and the Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act (CFFIRKA). It requires manufacturers, packers, and distributors to report cosmetic products sold in California that contain specific chemicals, including carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and designated fragrance or flavor ingredients.
To comply, companies must submit product information to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for any cosmetics containing reportable ingredients. This includes details about the product, its intended use, and a list of relevant chemicals. Registration must be accurate, complete, and updated whenever product formulations change.
FDA cosmetic registration and California Safe Cosmetics Program reporting are separate obligations. Even if your products are FDA-listed, you must still comply with California’s ingredient reporting laws to sell in the state. Failure to do so can result in penalties or market restrictions.
Any manufacturer, packer, or distributor selling cosmetics in California must comply, regardless of where the business is located. The requirements apply to both domestic and foreign companies whose products enter the California market.
Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, fines, and restrictions on product sales in California. It can also harm your brand’s reputation in a market where ingredient safety awareness is high.
